Toothbrush



Oct. 2, 1945. B. A BA EL 2,386,085

TOOTH BRUSH Filed July '7, 1943 Patented Oct. 2, 1945 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TOOTHBRUSH Byron A. Babel, Highland, Calif. Application J ly 7, 1943,, Serial No. 493,768 1 Claim. 1'01. 15-167) The present invention relates to tooth brushes, and comprehends an article of this character primarily intended for use by transients in depots, bus stations, rest rooms, gymnasiums, etc., the brush being impregnated with a dentifrice and ready for use, and so cheaply constructed that it is intended to be used but once, and then discarded.

The chief characteristic of the instant invention resides in the fact that the handle of the brush is made of a material that will readily soften and sufflciently disintegrate when placed in water, so that if it is deposited in a toilet, the possibility of plumbing trouble is avoided.

In carrying out my invention, I also contemplate constructing the handle of material of the above mentioned character possessing suflicient rigidity for use, and yet capable of being broken into smaller pieces prior to being discarded.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of a ready to use tooth brush intended to be used but ,once and then discarded, the handle being designed at one end to also permit of its use as a tooth pick.

The nature and advantages of the invention will be better understood from the following detail description when read in connection with the accompanying drawing, the invention residing in the construction,"combination and arrangement of parts as claimed.

In the drawing forming part of this application, like numerals of reference indicate similar parts in the several views, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a tooth brush constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is a plan view thereof.

Fi e 3 is a side elevation of another form of I the invention.

Figure 4 is a top plan view thereof. Figure 5 is a bottom plan view thereof. Figure 6 is an and elevation.

Referring to the drawing in detail, and more I particularly to Figures 1 and 2. I 0 indicates the handle of the brush and II the bristles which may of course be secured to the handle in any suitable manner. The outer end of the handle is pointed as at l2 to permit of its use a a tooth pick. As hereinabove stated the handle I0 is made out of any suitable material, such as pulp, cardboard or the like capable of absorbing water and become readily softened, so that if the brush is deposited in a toilet, the possibility of plumbing trouble is avoided. Consequently, by virtue of the pointed extremity [2 may if desired be treated with a waterproof substance, so that these portions will not become unduly softened incident to their use for the purposes intended. when the handle I0 is made of certain kinds ofmaterial capable of becoming readily softened and partially disintegrated when placed in water, it will be made of suflicient thickness to afford it the necessary rigidity for use, as clearly illustrated in Figure 1.

However, the handle It can be made comparatively thin from cardboard or the like, as shown in Figures 3 to 6 inclusive and possess the desired rigidity for use. In this embodiment of the invention, the handle is indicated at I 0' and the bristles at H. The outer end of the handle is pointed as at l2 for use as a tooth pick, while this end of the handle and the portion thereof supporting the bristles are preferably treated with a waterproof'substance l3 for the purpose hereinabove stated. The handle l0 can also be quickly broken into smaller pieces, if desired, before being discarded. For this purpose, the handle II is provided with perforations It so arranged that they do not weaken or detract from the rigidity of the handle incident to the use of the brush, yet permit the handle to be easily broken in two. The brush in its entirety can be manufactured for sale at a very small cost, so that it can be used once, and then discarded. The bristles II' are impregnated with a suitable dentifrice, thus providing a ready to use toothbrush. The article may if desired be encased in a covering of Cellophane or the like.

While it is believed that the nature and advantagesof the invention are readily apparent I I from the foregoing, I desire to have it understood that I do not limit myself to whatis herein shown or described, and. that such changes may be resorted to when desired as scope of what is claimed.

What is claimed is: I

A ready to use disposable tooth brush including a watersoluble handle equipped with a waterproofed terminal, dentifrice impregnated bristles extending from said waterprooied terminal, the handle being provided with perforations approximately midway its ends to facilitate breaking of the handle, preparatory to disposing of the tooth brush.

arson a man fall within the 

